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Hello everyone! I hope you’re having a wonderful day so far!

Today, I’d like to share with you the first three books I’ve read and reviewed this year. And of course, my haiku poem.

“A book is a dream you hold in your hands.”

~Neil Gaiman

◊

When I hold a book

close to my heart it fills with

happiness and light

The first book is a poetry anthology called, “Emerging From Shadows” by Balroop Singh. I’ve had this book in my Kindle a while and I was looking forward to reading it, because I knew it would be good, since I’m a fan of Balroop’s poetry. The book did not disappoint.

Blurb:

From darkness into light, from despair onto the wider ways of hope…life oscillates between sunshine and shadows. Emerging from shadows is a choice, which lies dormant, which can be gently inspired by self-talk. Each poem in this book banks on the hope of emerging stronger, saner, positive and resilient. Each poem in this book would talk to you, revealing layers of enclosed emotions. Each poem would divulge a secret path that could lead you into the world of poise and serenity.

When turbulences hit, when shadows of life darken, when they come like unseen robbers, with muffled exterior, when they threaten to shatter your dreams, it is better to break free rather than get sucked by the vortex of emotions.

My Review: (#ABRSC Read & Review)

“Emerging from Shadows” is a beautiful and profound collection of poems. The poems covered countless emotions both dark and bright, reflecting the many trials and tribulations as well as triumphs that a person faces throughout life. The kind of person that is strong-minded and willing to learn and grow from these experiences. I felt like an intruder as I read, because this book felt like a diary in verse.

When reading the book, I kept pausing to recite the verses out loud. So many of the lines drip from the tongue:

The dazzling rays of sun Had to pierce through you, To reach me, while The moonlight was all mine.

The best books, and that includes poetry books, make us smarter. They teach us new things and make us question what we know. This book is smart without being pretentious. It is also heartfelt, honest and inspiring. I highly recommend it to all poetry lovers.

♥♥♥

The second book is called, Emotional Beats:How To Convert Your Writing Into PalpableFeelings by Nicholas C. Rossis

Blurb:

Do You Want To Show, Not Tell, Emotions?

Because of the way our brains are wired, readers empathize more strongly if you don’t name the emotion you are trying to describe. As soon as you name an emotion, readers go into thinking mode. And when they think about an emotion, they distance themselves from feeling it.

A great way to show anger, fear, indifference, and the whole range of emotions that characterize the human experience, is through beats. These action snippets that pepper dialogue can help describe a wide range of emotions while avoiding lazy writing. The power of beats lies in their innate ability to create richer, more immediate, deeper writing.

This emotional thesaurus includes hundreds of examples that you can use for your inspiration, so that you, too, can harness this technique to easily convert your writing into palpable feelings. Use it as a feeling thesaurus and watch your writing take off!

My Review:

“Emotional Beats” is a great resource for writers. This book is meant to help and inspire us to find new ways to express emotion in our writing. It’s a wonderful book to use again and again as a reference. I bought the ebook, but I’m thinking of also buying the paperback. I found this book very useful and highly recommend it to anyone who loves to write.

♥♥♥

The third and final book is a New Adult Romance called, “Kai” by Michelle Abbott.

Blurb:

My name is Kai Okamoto. I deal drugs. Trade escapism for cold, hard cash. Born to a British mother and a Japanese father, I grew up poor, hungry, and alone. Hiding from the monsters at our door. The debt collectors.

I’ve worked hard to escape my past. I’m not that frightened little boy anymore. I’m wealthy, secure, and sure of myself. At least I was, until I met Lily.

Lily is a good girl. The kind of girl I should stay away from. I should, but I can’t.

I hate lying to her, but if she finds out who I am, what I do. I won’t see her for dust.

A standalone, bad boy romance, set in England.

My Review:

Kai is a young man who grew up in a very poor household with a single mom. After an encounter with a rich drug dealer, he decides to get into that life, in order to make a lot of money and give his mom the life he feels she deserves. He becomes a rich drug dealer just like he intended. Then one day he runs into an amazing young woman named Lily who turns his life upside down (in a good way). At first, Lily doesn’t trust him, but eventually he wins her trust and they fall in love. Of course, Kai does not tell her that he’s a drug dealer, because he’s afraid she would stop loving him. Their romance grows, but soon he is forced to come clean. And right when he decides to turn his life around, give up the drug business and become a man worthy of Lily, something happens that threatens to keep them apart forever. I won’t go on, because as it is, I might have said too much already. I enjoyed this book. It was a fun, quick and easy read. The story flows well and it’s engaging and well-written. I loved the characters. They seemed so genuine and I felt like I knew them. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys romance.

♥♥♥

Body and Close are this week’s prompt words chosen by Ronovan Hester of Ronovan Writes.

53 Responses to “Haiku Friday – Body & Close”

Perfect Haiku for the book reviews:) Great reviews. I have two waiting on my Kindle, but I added the poetry book to my Kindle, too. More to add to my reading list! Kai is on my must read:) Happy Friday!

Hi Denise! Sorry for the late response. I have a sick hubby at home and it’s been challenging to say the least. You’re such an avid reader! I admire how many books you can get through in so little time. I’m such a slow reader. Thank you for adding Balroop’s book to your Kindle. You’ll enjoy Kai. Have a wonderful Sunday night and week! 😀 xx

Reblogged this on The Angry Scribbler and commented:
Author Vashti Quiroz-Vega offers up another wonderful haiku along with three book reviews you should be reading. The book titled, Emotional Beats: How To Convert Your Writing Into Palpable Feelings by Nicholas C. Rossis should come in handy for those writers wanting to find the rhythm by showing not telling in their work. Check ’em out!

Awesome job. The book- Emotional Beats: How To Convert Your Writing Into Palpable Feelings by Nicholas C. Rossis sounds like a perfect addition to add to the shelf. I think all levels of writers would find the information useful and I definitely intend on checking it out! 😀

Hi Vashti, Long time no chat! You must have a book in your hand constantly 🙂 Your reviews are really good–I like how you put the blurb and your review–they compliment each other without being redundant or long-winded. As always, a joy to visit your blog. Xx

Hi Melissa! Yes, it’s been a while. It’s so lovely to hear from you. I’m happy you enjoyed the reviews. One of my goals for 2018 is to read more. Of course, I’m also planning to publish two books, so let’s see how that goes. Ha, ha! I hope all is well with you and your beautiful family. Have a great Sunday night and week! ❤

My gratitude flows like a fountain of love, my muse smiles within as music of your beautiful words reverberates around me. What a pleasant surprise Vashti! I am delighted to read that you liked my book. Your haiku is so much in tune with the reviews you have written. Love and hugs dear friend.